INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION OF AUSTRALIA – QUEENSLAND AND NORTHERN TERRITORY BRANCH
MEDIA RELEASE Thursday, 29 April 2010
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UNION MEMBERS IN QUEENSLAND CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ENDORSE FAIR WAGE DEAL Union members across Queensland Catholic schools have endorsed a revised wage deal which recognises the professional work of teachers. The revised wage offer came after breakthrough negotiations with Catholic employers last week. Members have endorsed in principle a wage deal which would deliver to the most experienced teachers an annual rate of $84,421 from April 2012. The Independent Education Union of Australia – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEUA-QNT) Secretary Terry Burke said this outcome came out of the determination of teachers to campaign for recognition of their contribution to high quality Catholic education. “After 14 months of negotiations, Catholic employers finally put on the table a fair wage deal that recognises the work of experienced teachers in Catholic schools,” Mr Burke said. “This wage deal signals the end of a long campaign for professional recognition for experienced teachers in Queensland Catholic schools. “Members campaigned for professional wages because they want what is best for their students and for the future of Catholic education in this State,” he said. IEUA-QNT members as part of their campaign took extensive industrial action including stop work action in October 2009 and March 2010. “Teachers in Catholic schools have shown they will not stand back and accept a wage deal that undermines their profession and quality education,” Mr Burke said.
…Ends For further comment contact: Terry Burke, IEUA-QNT Secretary on 0419 640 078 For further information and local teacher comments: Lauren Bremner, IEUA-QNT Communications Officer on direct line 3833 0614 or 0419 653 131 “The Queensland Independent Education Union represents nearly 15,000 non-government education sector employees including teachers, principals, school support staff, grounds and maintenance staff, early childhood education staff and employees in business, international and English language colleges.”